Page content

January 30, 2014

Colonial Williamsburg Foundation prepares for leadership transition: Colin Campbell continues as president and CEO until successor found

The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation announced today that a management succession process, including the appointment of a succession committee and engagement of an executive search firm, has been initiated to effect an orderly transition of chief executive leadership.

The executive recruiting firm Storbeck/Pimentel has been retained by the succession committee to support this effort.

“Succession is a primary focus for any well-managed organization and a leading responsibility of the Board of Trustees,” said Farrell. “Colonial Williamsburg has been extraordinarily fortunate to have been led by Colin Campbell since August 2000, a period of time marked by substantial challenges and addressed with great energy, creativity, and focus. There will be an appropriate time in the future to comment on Colin’s numerous contributions to the history of this venerable organization, but ‘reinvention’ is certainly one descriptor of his tenure. Colin has led us into the 21st century and has requested that this succession process be initiated at this time, while emphasizing his full and ongoing commitment to the leadership and management of the Foundation through completion of the process and a reasonable transition period.”

Farrell added, “No date has been set for completion of this process, but rather the Board’s focus is on fulfilling this responsibility in a manner that best serves the interests and standards of the institution. The succession committee will continue its work until the assignment is complete.”

“There are busy and demanding months ahead as we continue to pursue ambitious goals intended to sustain and advance Colonial Williamsburg’s excellence, assure its relevance as a center for history and citizenship and increase revenues from earned income and philanthropy,” said Campbell. “I look forward to continuing to work with my talented colleagues to address these responsibilities and opportunities, while supporting the Board and the succession committee in the critical work of leadership transition.”